"Well, I dare say they can be," said the skipper. "But they didn't stay long enough. We had almost to run ashore, and there were two or three fights; that was true enough. But if they had stayed long enough they could have brought you the best news that you have had for months." "Best news!" cried the Don excitedly. "Yes; the gunboat, with her big breech-loader and propeller disabled, is fast upon the rocks." "Captain Reed!" cried the Don, seizing him by both hands. "Is this true?" "As true as that I am telling you." "But the captain and his men?" "They're standing by her. But they will never get her off." "Oh!" shouted Fitz, giving a sudden jump and turning sharply round, to see the carpenter backing away confused and shamefaced, for he had been listening eagerly to the conversation, and at the critical point alluding to the gunboat being got off, he had in his excitement given Fitz a vigorous pinch. "Here, what are you thinking of doing?" said the skipper. "Doing?" said the Don excitedly. "There will be no banquet to-night. I must gather together my men, and make for the gunboat at once." "What for?" cried the skipper. "To strike the last blow for victory," cried the Don. "We must surround and take the gunboat's crew, and then at any cost that gunboat must be floated. I don't quite see yet how it is to be done, but the attempt must be made before there is another gale. That gunboat must be saved. No," he continued thoughtfully, "I don't see yet how it can be done." "I do, sir," cried Winks, dashing forward. "I'll take the job, sir, and do it cheap. Say a word for me, skipper. You know me. It's fust come fust served at times like this. Say a word for me, sir, afore some other lubber steps in and gets the job as won't do it half so well. Mr Burnett, sir--Mr Poole, you will put a word in too, won't you?" "I do not want any words put in," said the new President gravely. "I know you, my man, and what you can do. I know you too as one of the friends who have fought for me so bravely and so well. You shall get the gunboat off the rocks." In his excitement Chips did the first steps of the sailor's hornpipe, but suddenly awakening to a sense of his great responsibility, he pulled himself up short with a sharp stamp upon the deck, thrust his right fore-finger into his cheek, and brought it out again _plop_. "Stand by there, sir! Steady it is. I like things right and square. I never did a job like this afore; but you trust me, and I'll do my best." "I do trust you," said Don Ramon, smiling and holding out his hand, "and I know such a British seaman as you will do his best."